A student at Laguna Beach High School has contracted measles and is quarantined. Six other students have been told to stay home until the incubation period is over. (Photo by Sam Gangwer, Orange County Register/SCNG)

LAGUNA BEACH – An unvaccinated Laguna Beach High School student has been quarantined by county health officials after contracting measles.

Jessica Good, spokeswoman for the Orange County Health Care Agency, said Thursday, April 6, that the teen may have exposed other students to the highly contagious virus.

Infectious disease specialists did an assessment at the high school and identified six other unvaccinated students who may have been exposed to the virus when the infected student was on campus March 29. All of them have been barred from attending school and will have to stay home until April 18, the end of the incubation period, Good said.

The case is the second in the county in 2017. The first case was reported to the Health Care Agency earlier this year. The adult, who was vaccinated, was exposed on an international flight. Because the person chose to self-quarantine and there was no risk of exposure, the county agency is not required to disclose the person’s identity or location, Good said.

In 2016, there were 35 reported cases in the county.

On Wednesday, the Laguna Beach Unified School District sent notices to all parents of students in its four schools. The notification included symptoms associated with the infectious disease, including fever; rash; cough; and red, watery eyes. Measles spreads easily by air and by direct contact with an infected person. It is contagious even before a rash appears.

The district advised parents who notice any of these symptoms to notify the Health Care Agency immediately.

Children must be immunized against the following nine diseases: diphtheria, hepatitis B., measles, mumps, whooping cough, polio, rubella, tetanus and chicken pox.

“This particular incident is unearthing the conversation of whether to vaccinate or not,” said Cynthia Jenkins, a parent who has a freshman at Laguna Beach High School and had heard of the measles incident shortly after it happened. I’m from a family of doctors and support vaccinating. I respect everyone’s decision, but it certainly validates mine.”

Jenkins said she had heard some talk of the measles incident after March 29 but didn’t think about it again until getting the notice from the Laguna Beach Unified School District on Wednesday. “I was like oh, but my kids are vaccinated,” she said. “It’s scary.” But she credits the school district and the OC Healthcare Agency with their quick response.

“Everyone is alerted,” she said. “I’m pleased it hasn’t turned into something alienating.”

Jenkins said that from her understanding the affected student is doing better.

A state law, Senate Bill 277, that went into effect in 2016, says parents of children who attend public or private schools can no longer refuse to vaccinate their children based on personal belief. They can still receive medical exemptions.

If parents submitted personal-belief exemptions prior to Jan 1, 2016, the exemptions will remain in place until the student is in seventh grade.

Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@scng.com On Twitter: @lagunaini

Erika Ritchie reports on South Orange County coastal communities, military issues and Camp Pendleton for the OC Register. She explores everything from coastal access, environmental issues and marine life to city government, animal welfare and quality of life. She’s won many awards including first place in news (2016) by the Orange County Press Club for her coverage of record numbers of whale entanglements off the California coast. Erika’s covered military change of command and seen military affairs firsthand from the sea aboard a battleship, air from a MV-22 Osprey, and land including Pendleton’s International war games and San Clemente Island’s ordnance ranges. Journalism allows Erika’s penchant for telling human stories of conflict, struggle and joy. Her monthly Everyday Hero feature does just that, highlighting achievements of some of Orange County’s most dedicated volunteers and non-profit leaders. Since joining the Register in 2001, she’s at times covered every city in South Orange County delving into development, housing, transportation, county government and social issues. She’s often written about Saddleback Church and Pastor Rick Warren’s emerging national and global roles. Erika’s passionate about animals and outdoor adventure. She runs, stand-up paddles and skis - both alpine and x-country. She frequents Mammoth Lakes and Mountain for hiking, biking & skiing and for her dogs to frolic in the snow and lakes. She grew up bilingual in German and conversational in French.

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